GSCA 2024-25: Bandicoots claim historic fourth straight premiership after gritty grand final win over Kendenup

Broomehill’s golden run in the Great Southern Cricket Association has continued, claiming a fourth straight premiership after a hard-fought 20-run win over Kendenup in Saturday’s grand final. James Barritt scored a vital half century that helped the Bandicoots surpass 150 batting first and then youngster Mac Crichton snared four crucial wickets as Kendenup were dismissed for 164 to hand the home side another Great Southern Shield triumph. Bandicoots captain Lewis Barritt said the team’s 2021-22 A grade title win ended a 55-year drought for the club, so adding a fourth to their streak was a “historic” moment. “We had a great opening partnership in Jack (Batchelor) and James (Barritt) so we really started strong and we were at about 1-100 and we thought we could knock them over but they fought back, and we ended up with only 184,” he said. “I would have liked to get over the 200 run mark, but I think 184 was still a defendable score and we worked hard with the ball to make that true. “We started the season pretty rocky, honestly we probably couldn’t have started worse, and we worked hard all season to get stronger and make it to the final win, so the boys all did really well for us.” The Bandicoots’ put in the work early with the bat with openers Jack Batchelor (39) and James Barritt (51) producing a stellar 78-run partnership. Jakob Douglas took the important wickets of Crichton (13) and David Hinchcliffe (5) and then Kendenup captain Clinton Gilbert produced a ripping spell to turn things back in their favour. Clinton Gilbert destroyed the lower order with 5-12, including the Bandicoots skipper for 35, as the home side were all out for 184 in the 44th over. Kendenup put up a fight with the bat as Scott Hillman played well at the top with 41 and he was well supported by fellow opener Sebastian Ballard (30) and Clinton Gilbert (39). But Crichton’s spell along with three wickets from Lewis Barritt guided the Bandicoots to premiership glory. David Hinchcliffe (2-26) snared the key wicket of Douglas and Hillman and Lewis Barritt returned 3-15 from nine tidy overs. James Barritt was named player of the final for his 51 (from 61 balls with nine boundaries) and 1-36 from seven overs. Clinton Gilbert said despite the frustrating grand final loss, he was proud of how far the Kendenup side had come with a mix of younger and more experienced players, and a high turnover throughout the season. “We didn’t come out at the right end of the game and I think we blew a really good opportunity, but we played as well as we could and at the end of the day that’s all I can ask for as a captain,” he said. “As a whole I think we performed really well this season, the goal we set was making the finals at all so looking back I can say I’m proud of where we got to as a team, we had plenty of younger players who stepped up this season and we’re looking in a good position for next year.”